Holiday '11: Our First Photoshoot

This past Sunday we had our very first photoshoot for the launch of our Holiday '11 collection. Our debut line is here! It was an afternoon packed with energy, beauty and just a bit of chaos. We had great models (the beauties Gia and Violet and Ana), amazing hair styling (Nate!), subtle and enhancing makeup (Tiffany Nash, simply gorgeous) and our great photog and her tireless assistant (Inti and Jeff, awesome job).

My role was part logistical, part creative. I helped everyone get to where they needed to be and kept an eye on the clock during the shoot. I also worked with styling of the girls (hair up? curls or a braid?) and the sets (flowers vs. throw rug?). And, as with any shoot, there was tons of schlepping, pushing, lifting and sliding of furniture and equipment. It was super fun, hard work, a little nerve wracking...and a job well done by the whole team.

Inspired by the mood and the fashion of Paris in the 1950's, our team wanted to capture the sophistication, style, beauty and rich design aesthetic of that era that our collection echos. We shot on location in a 100+ year old Pioneer Square loft, complete with floor to ceiling windows. The natural light was radiant. Weathered and distressed interior brick walls and the well-worn wood floors gave the rich look of a bygone era. A bronze bistro table and chairs, fresh flowers from the market, sterling silver candleholders and a supple tufted-leather ottoman served as props in the shots.

With just over 24 hours since the shoot wrapped, we're waiting to see the final shots. But we know they're good. There's no way with clothes these beautiful, and girls this cute, and an energy this alive the shots won't be GOOD.

So, while we wait, here are few snaps from the set. More to come soon!
 
What a wonderful day. Thank you to all.

-- cat

Violet getting coiffed by Nate

Little Gia, Nate, Masha and Inti discussing the setup

Lights, camera, action.

Anticipation at Ana Louie

This week is very grand and exciting at Ana Louie as we are awaiting for all our Holiday 2011 samples to show up here in Seattle on Friday! The room on the rack is cleared and hangers are ready!
Photo shoots, photo shoots, photo shoots are next!

 

INSPIRATION....What are your thoughts....

Shaping up wth a great week as we get ready for our launh party soon to come...

Loving our Ideas...so delicate, so classy and so Parisian!!

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”

 “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”..

Coco Chanel

Inspiration is Everywhere

Hi. Cat here.

We are working with our web designer to create a beta version of our website for a big event at the end of the month. This version of the site won't have *all* the bells and whistles that our alpha will in May, but it will have what we consider to be the most important information for our audience right now. Consider it an appetizer before the main course.

One of the sections of the beta site is "Our Inspiration". It will visually depict what Masha, AnnMarie and I are inspired by in our work as designers, marketers and creative thinkers. How fun!

This past weekend, I went to Palm Springs for the FIRST time.(...and I'll tell you, it won't be the last.) I looked around and saw inspiration everywhere! First, the sun. The sun is something that those of us in Seattle covet, cherish, worship and sorely miss when she disappears for months at a time. Besides teh sun, Palm Springs is so rich with architectural detail, design awesomeness and natural beauty.

Here are few pics I took there that inspire me in my work with Ana Louie and also in life in general:

The wind turbines are awesome. Some people thing they're ugly. I think they're beautiful. They're graceful and delicate, yet strong and effective. They're a symbol to me that we, as a civilization, are doing something gentle on the earth to create energy. We are not digging, drilling, spilling or melting down. Natural wind is turned into energy. It's simple. It's inspiring. And the triad design of the windmill blades is balanced and visually pleasing to my eye.

This is a close-up detail of a large (12 foot by 12 foot) wall hanging inside the gorgeous mid-century modern Parker Hotel. I love so much about this piece of art. That it is a knit textile made of irregular width and texture yarns makes it feel so handmade. The curling design is organic, especially when contrasted against a modern and angular interior of the hotel. I just picture a fabulous mid-century knitter sitting beside a fire creating this item, and thinking about making a rug, or a scarf, or a sweater...and deciding on this as the end piece. I love it and would want one for my home.

This wall of repeated brick squares creates a outdoor vestibule and shade structure at the Parker. The repetitive pattern is soothing and interesting at the same time and it inspires me to remember that a good idea CAN (and should, usually) have an element of simplicity too. This wall is so well designed - it provides a cool little breezeway to wait for you car that feels special. You don't feel like you're just waiting - you're inspired to look UP at the sky and think "Wow. This is awesome."

I guess that's what inspiration is all about, eh?

Great week....our team has definitely come up with dazzling ideas as we move forward to our Launch date.  Liz Murakami has joined our team by adding her expertise on Event Planning.  Also not to forget Inti St. Clair who will be helping us with our photography and video segments to capture who we are and what AnaLouie is all about.  We are all very excited.  Keep posted for more information to come as we get closer to launching AnaLouie.....................

So it begins... or should we say continues...

Since November we've been developing our first season collection, which will be out in the stores by next Holiday season...
A lot events to happen before then!
Stay tuned......